Folding and automobile-transportable camping tent



April 2, 1968 L. DOMENEGHETT! FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLECAMPING TENT ll Sheets-Sheet 1 Fild Oct. 25, 1965 1424' DONE/V6 a/err/ kwm A sttorne y s April 2, 1968 1.. DOME NEGHETTI 3,375,336

FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT ll Sheets-Sheet 2Filed Oct. 25, 1965 Inventor A ttorney:

April 1968 L. DOMENEGHETTI 3,375,836

-TRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE ll Sheets-Sheet 5Filed Oct. 23, 1965 Inventor am .Doa 0/6 64677/ A ttorneys April 2, 1968L; DOMENEGHETTI 3,375,835

FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT Filed Oct. 23, 1965 11Sheets-Sheet 4 Inventor v Fl .6 424 ma/(M6711 Attorney:

April 2, 1968 1.. DOMENEGHETTI FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLECAMPING TENT Filed Oct. 25, 1965 11 Sheets-Shet 13 Inventor A ttorneysApril 2, 1968 L. DOMEN'EGHETTI 3,375,335

FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT Filed Oct. 23, 1965 11Sheets-Sheet e Inventor A 424 DONE/#66516 77/ A ftorneys April 2, 1968L. DOMENEGHETTI FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT 11Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Oct. 25. 1965 .4 Que A tlorneyy A ril 2, 1968 V L.DOMEINEGHETTI FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-HRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT Filed001.. 23, 1965 11 Sheets- Sheet 8 A Horn eys A ril -2, 1968 L.DOMENEGHETTI 3, 7 ,83

FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILETRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT ll Sheets-Sheet 9 FiledOct. 25, 1965 L414 Dumas/1 67a 78 FIG. 13a

A Horney:

April 1968 L. DOMENEGHETTI 3,375,836

FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT l1 Sheets-Sheet l 0Filed Oct. 23, 1965 In venlor L/m D0446 664677/ MMMM A Mom 2 y:

April 2, 196$ L. DOMENEGHETTl 3,375,335

FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT Filed Oct. 23, 1965 llSheets-Sheet 11 In vent o r DOME/l/GGl/{TT/ United States Patent3,375,836 FOLDING AND AUTOMOBILE-TRANSPORTABLE CAMPING TENT LaraDomeneghetti, Via Compagnoni 41, Milan, Italy Filed Oct. 23, 1965, Ser.No. 503,571 Claims priority, application Italy, Mar. 4, 1965, 747 743 2Claims. bi. 13s 1 ABSTRACT OF THE nrscLosunn The present inventionrelates to a folding and automobiletransportable camping tent havingmarked improvements over hitherto known tents of this. type, beingcapable of being mounted on the roof of a motor car, and being adapted,by virtue of the aforesaid improvements, to provide a wide range offacilities in order to afford the user with the utmost comfort in usewhile ensuring a most practical construction to assist the manufacturerin the solution of storage and handling problems of the individualdismantled component members of the tent.

The tent constructed according to the improvements incorporated in thepresent invention provides, in particular a simplified solution to theproblem of rational utilization of parking space and, above all, ofadequate floor clearance from the ground.

It is the main object of this invention to provide a folding campingtent, which can be carried on and detachably secured to the roof of amotor car, and is adapted for use both in its anchored position on theroof of the motor car or by removing it therefrom and erecting it on theground by means of strong folding supports, so as to maintain in bothcases a substantial floor clearance from-the ground.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a foldingcamping tent, which can be carried on and detach ably secured to theroof of a motor car and which can be oriented in its position of use atwill relative to the motor car while it remains anchored on the motorcar roof.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a folding campingtent, which can be carried on and detachably secured to the roof of amotor car, and which can be associated with another conventional type oftent to form up a multi-section camping tent assembly.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a foldingcamping tent, which can be carried on and detachably secured to the roofof a motor car, in which access means to the tent are provided for usewhen the tent is mounted on the motor car roof, said access means alsoserving as supporting means for one half of the tent.

The invention further provides means for anchoring the tent to the motorcar .roof, conveniently provided with an anti-theft device, and alsowith means enabling the tent, when mounted on the motor car roof, toswivel thereon in order to assure any desired orientation relative tothe motor car itself.

Further objects, features and advantages of the tent according to thepresent invention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription which will be easily understood by all skilled in the art ofcamping equipment in general and camping tents in particular when readinconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folded tent in closed condition andmounted for transportation on a motor car roof, a protective waterproofcovering being omitted for the sake of clearness.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing the first stage in theopening out of the tent for use.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but showing the tent in itsfully unfolded and opened out position while still anchored to the roofof the motor car, with a ladder affording access to the tent and servingas supporting means for half of the tent.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tent in its opened out position ofuse erected upon the ground after being removed from the motor car, thetent being shown associated with a conventional type second tent.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective views illustrating different arrangementsof the tent and/or its accessories, while the tent is anchored to themotor car roof.

FIGS. 7a and 7b are perspective views of details of the tent frame.

FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c are detail views of a rib for supporting the tentcanvas.

FIGS. 9a and 9b are perspective detail views of an access ladder for thetent and the hinging of ladder to the frame of the tent.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of means for the anchoring of the frame ofthe tent to the roof of a motor vehicle.

FIGS. 11a and 11b are an exploded perspective view and a sectional viewrespectively of anti-theft means for the anchoring of the tent to themotor vehicle roof.

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of means permitting rotationalorientation of the tent while it is anchored to the motor vehicle roof.

FIGS. 13a, 13b, 130, 14a and 14b, are detail views of the meansillustrated in FIG. 12.

FIGS. 15a, 15b and are detail views .of the hinging of folding supportsto the frame of the tent for use in erecting the tent upon the ground.

Referring now first of all to FIGS. 1 to 4, the tent according to thepresent invention essentially comprises:

A base frame divided transversely in two parts 1 and 2, each constitutedof strong wooden boards orsimilar rigid material, hinged together attheir meeting edges so that they can be folded one over the other aswill be hereinafter explained, a tent canvas 3 supported by rib members4, pivoted on the same axis on which both portions 1 and 2 of the baseframe are pivoted, the canvas 3 having two flanks in each of which awindow 5 is provided, said window being adapted for opening.

The tent is internally equipped with two small mattresses 7, stretchedout side-by-side over their length, and with other convenientaccessories such as a mosquito curtain 8, supports 9 for the entranceflap 6 of the tent, mosquito curtains 10 for the windows 5 and alsowindow covers 11 therefore operable from the inside by means of acable12.

The parts 1 and 2, constituting the base frame will now be described indetail.

The pivotal part 2 is reinforced by two stiffening mem bers 14, whichare angularly disposed to each other, the divergent ends of the members14 being fixed to the hinges for the hinging of the two parts 1 and 2 toeach other, and the convergent ends of the members 14 being fixed to apivotal support for an access ladder to the tent, as will be furtherexplained. The part 1 has secured thereto at its hinged edge a boxsection profile 15 having an extension as shown more clearly in FIG. 7a,acting as a support to the whole length of the hinged edge of part 2,the extension being downwardly stepped as shown.

3 v The underneath of the part 1 is provided with additional stiffeningmeans. In one embodiment intended for fixed orientation tents twosections 13, illustrated FIG. 4, are disposed parallel to each other ata predetermined distance and transversally to the section 15, In asecond embodiment intended for variable orientation tents additionalsections (not shown in FIG. 4) are disposed normally to the sections 13.The details of both embodiments are better illustrated in FIGS. and 12and will be further described hereafter.

FIGS. 7a and 7b show clearly how the hinging of both the parts 1 and 2is arranged. Each hinge comprises a pair of upright bracket plates 16and 17 having at their lower ends inward right angled wings with boltholes therein for the bolting of the wings to the parts 1 and 2, theupright plates overlapping each other at their adjoining edges to permitthe alignment of pivot holes formed in the plates at their upper ends.Through these holes is passed a bolt pin 18 forming the pivoting axisbetween both the parts 1 and 2. Each of the plates 16 and 17 is providedwith a further bolt hole 19 in which are pin-mounted the uprights of theribs 4 supporting the tent canvas 3.

In addition to these two ribs 4 there is a third rib which is pivoted onthe bolt 18, said bolt comprising the hinging axis "of the parts 1 and2. This axis is positioned so as to permit the tipping of the portion 2onto the portion 1 with interposition therebetween of the flexible andfolding tent canvas for passing from the position in FIG. 2 to theclosed condition illustrated in FIG. 1 when the tent is to betransported elsewhere. FIGS. 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate the ribs 4 and afew particular embodiment forms thereof.

According to FIG. 8a the rib 4 is formed of an upper member 20,consisting of a U-bent-over tube on the arms of which a plug 20' issecured by riveting. T 0 such plugs 20 are sleeved, as by simple axialpressure, the tubular uprights 21 of suitable inside diameter, the otherends of which are connected by riveting, as shown in FIG. 7b, tobifurcated forks 22, the latter being pivoted on the bolt pins 18 and 19on the bracket plates 16 and 17. According to the modificationillustrated in FIG. 8b the rib 4 comprises a horizontal tube 20 and twovertical tubes 21 connected to each other by two similar bends 20" madeby casting or drop forging with end portions 20 of reduced diameter toform a plug and socket connection, and With a center eyelet 26 for theanchoring of the tent canvas. Coupling between the parts is made bysimple pressure. FIG. 8c represents the rib of FIG. 8b in its entirety,but partially dismantled. An important component of the tent is also aladder 23, which is illustrated in several of the figures and isillustrated in detail in FIGS. 9a and 9b. This ladder is pivoted to thebase frame part 2 on the tent at the convergent ends of the stiffeningmembers 14 of the part 2. Referring to FIG. 9a, the ladder 23 is formedof a first ladder portion 23 carrying the steps 25 and terminating atthe extreme uppermost part with a round tube 24. Into this first ladderportion 23 there can be telescopically inserted a second ladder portion23 having one single fixed step 25' at the lower end and providedfurther with a sliding step 26 the position of which can beadjusted-similarly to the position of ladder portion 23 in the ladderportion 23 by means of four cotter pins 27 connected pairwise by twocables 27. A round tube 24' is telescopically inserted in a force fitinto the tube 24 of the portion 23 of ladder 23. The tube 24 is longerthan tube 24 and projects a little from both ends of the latter. As itmay be partially seen from FIG. 9b, both extremes of the tube 24 of theportion 23 of the ladder 23 are positioned substantially in contact withbracket bearings 28, riveted at the ends of the members 14, whilst theends of the tube 24 enter into the bracket bearings 28 so as to act as apin for hinging the ladder 23 on the base frame part 2 at its outermostend. Owing to the particular structure of the ladder 23 and its hingemounting, it can swing relative to the base frame part 2 of the tent ofwhich it also constitutes a support, and is adjustable over its lengthfor adaptation to the height of the motor car on which the tent isanchored and being unaffected by ground unevenness. The ladder 23,therefore, is adaptable under any conditions to form an effectivesupport for the base frame part 2, the tent thus being always disposedhorizontally or in one single plane with the base frame part 1, besidesalso constituting, of course, the means of access to the tent (see FIG.3). The same ladder assists in the opening and closing operations of thetent (see FIG. 2) inasmuch as it serves as an operating lever. Once thetent has been folded over in the condition as illustrated in FIG. 1, theladder does not constitute any encumbrance, since the lower portion 23re-enters almost entirely into the portion 23 thus shortening the ladderto a length capable of being contained within the width dimension of thebase frame part 2 (see FIG. 1).

The herein described tent is anchored to the motor car by securing it tothe gutters of the motor car roof by means which will be describedhereinafter.

As can be seen from FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 the use of the tent,hereinfore described, in the form as anchored to a motor car roof offersmarked advantages for camping with frequent moves, or in places in whichavailable parking space is very limited. Nevertheless, for longer staysin the same place where no space limitation is imposed it is possible toerect the tent on the ground by releasing it from the anchoring means tothe motor car roof, while still maintaining for the most part theadvantages afforded by the tent when used on the motor car roof, that isto say, the advantages of adequate floor clearance from the ground, andhence to attain immunity from dampness and from disturbance frominsects. For this purpose, the. underneath of the base frame parts 1 and2 are provided with folding supports 29 as illustrated in their generaloutline in FIG. 4, showing their manner of use when the tent. is erectedon the ground. These support means 29, consisting of U-bent iron tubemembers, are mounted as depicted in FIGS. 15a to by means of plates 30,fastened on the underneath of the base frame parts 1 and 2, each plate30 having a pair of spaced apart cheeks 31 projecting at right anglestherefrom, each cheek having three holes therein. Between each pair ofcheeks 31 is placed a stud 29 consisting of a tube having twothrough-holes 29' and 29 formed in the wall thereof. The stud 29 issecured to the cheeks 31 by means of a pin 32 bent at one end 33 toU-shape, the arm 32 of the U being longer than the other arm 32. Thelonger arm 32 passes through the holes 29' in the stud 29 which registerwith the upper innermost holes in the cheeks 31 (viewing FIG. 15a). The

shorter arm 32 of the pin can be passed through either of the remainingpairs of aligned holes in the cheeks 31 and also through the second hole29" in the stud 29 Bot-h arms of each of the supports 29 are adapted totelescope into each other and simultaneously onto the studs 29 to whichthey are locked by the bolt 29 By this arrangement, the support 29, canbe imparted two different fixed positions as depicted in FIGS. 15a and15b, respectively, depending upon the position given to the short arm 32of the pin 32 which acts with its long :arm as a center pin bridging theaforesaid upper innermost holes in the cheeks 31, as well as the holes29' in the stud 29 Said both alternative positions of the pin 32 aremaintained by means of a coil spring 34 surrounding the long arm of thepin 32 and compressed between an end stop 35 and the side of the mostadjacent cheek 31. In the position as depicted in FIGS. 15a and 150 thesupport 29 is kept tilted relative to the plane of the base frame of thetent in order to ensure a stable support of the tent upon the ground;whilst, conversely, in FIG. 15b the position of the support 29 issubstantially parallel to that of the base frame of the tent. It isclear that this second position is required when the tent is mounted onthe motor car roof for housing the supports 29 in folded over positonwithin the base frame dimensions, whilst the position as depicted inFIG. a should be chosen when it is desired to erect the tent on theground in the manner as shown in FIG. 4 after releasing it from themotor car roof. The depth dimension of the supports 29 are such as toensure in the position depicted in FIGS. 15a and 15c an adequateclearance of the base frame from the ground for the comfort reasonswhich have already been mentioned, and to ensure at the same time thatthe supports in folded over position will be within the dimensions ofthe base frame part 1 (see FIG. 3) when folded over. If desired thesupports 29 maybe removed from the assembly by removing the bolts 29 andwithdrawing thesupports 29 from the studs 29 when the tent is mountedfor transportation (see FIGS. 1, 2, 3) and for use on the motor carroof.

The anchoring means to the motor car roof will now be described indetail. A first embodiment of such means adapted to effect a stationaryconnection of the tent to the motor car roof is obtained, withoutpossibility of changing its orientation, is depicted in FIG. 10. In thisembodiment there is secured to the underneath of the base frame part 1at least two channel sections 13, arranged at a predetermined spacing,parallel to each other and perpendicularly to the box section profile15, as will be apparent from FIG. 4. The sections .13 have a deepchannel shape with right angled flange extensions for their securing bymeans of bolts to the base frame part 1. At spaced apart intervals andinside each of the sections 13 there is fixedly inserted at least fourshort length sections 43 having the same channel shape as the sections13, but of less depth so that the deep channel shape of the sections 13is reduced at intervals to a square section. From the ends of thesections 13 are inserted in the thus obtained free square sections thelong sides of the square section telescoping supports 44, adapted tofreely slide in the corresponding seat of the sections 13, in whichthrough-holes 13', bridged by bolts 45, are further provided. In orderto lock the travel of the long side of the square supports 44 slidinginside the corresponding seat of the sections 13 it suffices to tightenthe bolts 45, so that the sections are elastically deformed andtightened onto the square supports 44 which can thus be positionallyadjusted; depending upon the width of the roof of the motor car.

The long sides of the supports 44 have right angled branches at theirends to which upright pillars 46 are adjustably telescoped by means of abolt 47 passed through a pair of aligned bolt holes in the branches ofthe supports 44 and through any selected pair of a plurality of pairs ofbolt holes formed in the pillars 46. Each pillar is provided at itslowermost end with a support bracket comprising a support plate 48having a turned over right angled projection 49 at its upper ends. Thesupport plate may be provided with a covering case 48' of plasticmaterial. The plate 48 is connected to the lower end of the pillar 46 bymeans of a rivet 46' permitting a tilting adjustment of the plate 48 toallow it to accommodate itself to a different tilting of the gutters onthe several motor car models in circulation. The support plateprojection 49 is provided with a square hole 50, in which fits thesquare portion 51 of the shank of a pin, the outer portion 52 of theshank being threaded. A clamping bracket 53 is pivotally suspended fromthe square shank 51 by means of a plug pin 51' passing through the shankand through a turned over bearing portion of the clamping bracket 53,the latter being drawn into mating relationship with the support plate48 by means of a bolt 54 passing through a threaded hole 48" in theplate 48, the end of the bolt being slightly riveted at 54' on the rearof the plate 48 in order to prevent pulling through. The clampingbracket 53 can, owing to the key hole slot 55 therein, move verticallyin relation to the bolt 54 by operation of the locking handwheel 57,whilst the portion 55' of the slot 55 serves to receive the part 54" ofthe bolt 54. An outwardly turned lip 56 formed on the lowermost end ofthe clamping bracket 53 is adapted to engage underneath the gutter ordrip of the motor car in the limited clearance space for the door,whilst the support plate 48 engages directly on the drip. In order tofasten the tent body assembly to the motor car, it will suffice totighten the lip 56 of the clamping bracket 53 underneath the gutter ofthe motor car and simultaneously the plate 48 above this. This is donein one single operation by tightening the handwheel 57 on the threadedportion 52 of the pin 51 after prior interposition of a spring washer 58between the hand-wheel base and the projection 49 of the plate 48. Theadjustment provision for the upright 46 telescoping inside the support44 permits vertical variations of the position of the base frame of thetent relative to the motor car roof, so as to be adapted to thedifferent swells of the roofs of the several motor car models.

FIGS. 11:: and 11b illustrate in perspective view with parts dismantledand in section, respectively, a particular form of tightening handwheel59, to be used as an alternative to the preceding one, adapted toprevent malicious people from easily robbing the owner of the entiretent by releasing it from the motor car when left unattended when thetent is in the folded position or arranged for transportation on themotor car roof. To this end, the handwheel 59 is provided with an innerbushing 60, which is internally threaded to receive the screwed portions52 of the pin '51, said bushing being mounted loose inside the handwheel59, but restrained against axial displacement therein by means of a plug61, circumferentially inserted in a hole 62 of the handwheel andcooperating with a circumferential groove 63 or" the bushing 60. Theoperation of the handwh eel will consequently result in the tighteningand releasing of the tent connections only when the handwheel 59 and thebushing 60 are fast with each other; otherwise the handwheel 59 willrotate around the bushing 60. In order to make the handwheel 59 fastwith the bushing 60 provision is made for the axial insertion inside thehandwheel 59 via the hole 59', positioned in the middle of the upperportion thereof, of a tool plug 64, terminating with a triangular keyportion 64 having rounded corners, adapted to penetrate a hole providedwith a corresponding shape, formed axially in the center of the upperpart of the bushing 60. Like a key, the plug 64 will be removed by theuser when he leaves his motor car in order to avoid the possibility oftheft. Nor will it be possible for thieves to make the handwheel 59 fastwith the bushing 60 owing to the unusual shape of the section of bothreceiving holes of the triangular portion 64' of the plug 64. Said shapeof the hole section has been adapted to eliminate the possibility thatby introducingin the hole 59' an easily available tool, such as a commonscrewdriver, the thief would be enabled to make the handwheel 59 fastwith the bushing 60, because the blade of the screwdriver, havingunrounded corners, ends up by rotating loose both inside the triangularhole 59 and the similar and corresponding hole in the bushing 60. Inorder to better conceal the particular structure of this anti-theftdevice, that is to say, to hide the hole 62 and also the triangular hole59 in the handwheel 59, a sleeve 65 consisting of plastic material coatsthe handwheel 59 at its shank portion, whilst its operating portion iscovered with a cap 66, also consisting of plastic material.

Further embodiments according to the present invention differentiate theanchoring means described above in detail from the anchoring meansillustrated in FIG. 12, and adapted to provide a tent connection withthe roof of a motor car permitting orientation of the tent in situ.

According to this invention, the base frame part 1 is in the presentinstance strengthened by a pair of outwardly flanged channel sections 13and by another pair of similar sections 36, assembled in such a way asto form a substantially square space, inside which a rigid circular rim37, preferably consisting of metal (see FIG. 12) is fastened bydirect-bolting it onto the base frame part 1, or in any other suitablemanner. The rim 37 is formed with an inwardly stepped toothed rack 38 atits lower peripheral edge and is mounted so as to be capable of slidingand being locked inside four devices 39 (only one of which is shown inFIG. 12) which will be described hereinafter, carried by two tubes 40,mounted in turn Onto the anchoring means 41 of the base frame of thetent to the motor car. More accurately, the mounting of the tubes 40 onthe anchoring means 41 can be arranged so as to have differentadjustable distances between the members 41 by providing more pairs ofholes 4 2, 42', and 42" in the tubes 48 for use in the lockingarrangements provided in order to firmly connect the tubes 40 to themembers 41. Such locking arrangement is carried out by means of fourStaples 411, one for each crossing point between the tubes 40 and themembers 41. In consideration of the requirement to adapt one singledimension of the tent to different motor car models, at least twodifferent distances can be obtained between the members 41 by aligningthe staple 40', which as depicted in FIG. 12, with the pair of holes 42and 42 or alternatively with the other pairs of holes 42' and 42",keeping in mind that the distances between the pairs of holes 42, 42'and 42" are identical to the distances of the pairs of holes 48" of thestaple 40'.

The anchoring means 41 are formed of a member having a square section,built preferably by the association of two channel shaped sectionsmounted one into the other and two square section supports 44 similar tothose 44 in FIG. 10, which serve for supporting the tent upon the motorcar, and are telescopically received within the ends of the members 41.The members 44 can be first adjusted and then locked in a plurality ofcontiguous positions on the members 41 by tightening via the hole 41 abolt 41" which passes through a hole 44" in the member 44, so as toadapt the connection to the width of the motor car. The anchoring means41 are mounted on the motor car roof in the same manner and function asdo the sections 13 in FIG. 10, the outer branch of each member 44'receiving uprights 46, identical to those previously described andsimilarly equipped. Also the anti-theft device illustrated in FIGS. 11aand 11b can be used in this embodiment of the anchoring means. It willbe noted that, whilst according to the embodiment of the anchoring meansdepicted in FIG. the tent is rigidly connected with its base frame tothe sections 13 and thence to the motor car and can consequently takeonly one single position relative to the motor car itself, with theanchoring assembly as depicted in FIG. 12, which is described hereunderwith some of its details referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, it is possible toeffect orientation of the tent relative to the motor car. Of botharrangements the former is obviously simpler and less expensive, thelatter being more complete and versatile.

With reference to FIGS. 13a, 13b, 13c, 14a and 14b a detaileddescription of the operation of the devices 39 for sliding support andlocking of the circular rim 37 is provided hereunder, which devicesenable the rim 37 to 1'0- tate together with the base frame of the tenton which it is fastened and thereby to permit variation of theorientation of the entire tent above the motor car. The devices 39 inFIG. 12, wherein only one of the four devices is shown, are illustratedin detail in section in the FIGS. 13a, and 14a at both the differentlimit positions that they can take. In FIGS. 13b and 14b the samesupports are shown in perspective together with other parts, alreadydescribed. Each device 39 comprises a metal bushing 67, preferably ofbrass, mounted inside the tube with its upper head 68 supported on theoutside of the upper surface of said tube, the bush being locked inposition by a threaded ring 69, screwed on the other end of the bushwhich is threaded. Inside the bushing 67 is mounted one end of a fork70, carrying a ball hearing 71, encircling a screw 72, the fork 70terminating with a right angled lip 73, which is internally toothed at74.

Inside the bushing 67 is mounted loose and with very limited playanother metal bushing 75, consisting preferably of steel, an upwardlyextending threaded projection 75' of which is adapted to firmly screw onto the base of the fork 70, whilst at its opposite end the bush 75 isadapted for screw threaded engagement with a tie rod 76, so that thethree distinct members, i.e. the fork 70, the bushing 75 and thethreaded tie rod 76 are assembled as one single unit. The fork isdisposed such a way as to project from the bushing 67 through the head68, whilst the threaded tie rod 76 projects through the end opposite tothe fork, passing through a hole in the threaded ring 69 in order toreceive a handwheel 78 having the same construction and uses as those ofthe handwheel 57 depicted in FIG. 10. A safety ring 77 is screwed fromthe outside on the tie rod 76 until it abuts against the threaded ring69. It is to be noted that the outside diameter of said ring 77 islarger than the diameter of the hole in the threaded ring 69 throughwhich the tie rod 76 passes and smaller than the diameter of thebell-shaped part 78 of a metal bushing 78, adapted for drop forging intothe handwheel 78. It follows, therefore, that said safety ring 77 doesnot allow, when it is screwed on the tie rod 76, the movement of the tierod itself out through the head 68 of the bushing 67, whilst on theother hand it can be contained in and freely slide inside thebell-shaped part 78 of the bushing 78' of the handwheel 78 when saidhandwheel is tightened (see FIG. 14a). The safety ring 77 has beenprovided to prevent the possibility that during propulsion of the motorcar with the tent in transportation position, due to the possible lossof the handwheel 78 of the four devices 39, the bushing may becomereleased from the bushing 67 and with them the threaded tie rods 76 andthe fork bodies 70, and finally the rim 37 fastened on the bottom withthe entire tent and with the serious consequences which would ensue fromsuch an occurence.

Inside the bushing 67, that is inside the cavity 75" delimited by thebushing 75 and the bottom of the threaded ring 69, is disposed a strongspring 79, which constitutes a device member of essential importance. Ittends to push upwardly the entire moving equipment, namely the bushing75 and the fork assembly '70, which is firmly connected thereto by thethreaded portion 75' and to raise said fork 70 outwardly of the bushing67, through its head 68.

As can be seen from FIGS. 13b, 13c, and 14b, the rim 37 is mounted onthe upper part of the fork 70 with its toothing 38 facing the teeth 74-of the fork lip 73 and with its extension or projection 38' resting onthe ball bearing 71. Now, in the condition as depicted in FIG. 13a inwhich the handwheel 78 is not tightened, the teeth 74, under the actionof the spring 79 are not engaged by the toothing 38 provided on thestepped down inner periphery of the circular rim 37. The disengagementof these two different toothed parts is caused by the fact that due tothe force exerted by the strong spring 79 the ball bearing 71 strikesand pushes upwardly the projection 38 which is shaped and functions as arail for the rim 37, with the consequence that raising upwardly of therim 37 also raises the base frame of the tent fastened thereto andsimultaneously also the pair of the sections 13 and 36, fastened to thesame base frame part 1. As a result, said sections raise from the tubes40 which, instead, being connected to the anchoring means 41 by means ofthe staples 40', remain fast with the motor car at their pre-existingheight from the ground (see FIG. 13b, where the detachment of the tube40 from one of the sections 13 can be clearly seen). In this case it canbe said that the Whole assembly constituting the tent anchoring isbasically divided relative to the ground floor into distinct parts i.e.,one lower and one upper part. The lower part is constituted by the motorcars, the square section supports 41, the anchoring means 41 and 9finally the tubes 40, connected to the means by the staples 40. On theother hand, the upper part Comprises the base frame part 1 of the tentwith the. pairs of sections 13 and 36 and the rim 37 on said base framepart firmly fastened together to the whole tent assembly. The meetingpoint between the lower part and the upper part is represented by theball bearings 71 which can roll over the rail 38 of the rim 37, whilstthe toothed portion 74 of the lip 73 of the fork 70 is raised slightlyfrom the toothed part 38 of the rim 37 whereby the base frame part 1 ofthe tent can rotate by moving the rail 38 of the rim 37 to slip over theball bearings 71, which rotate loose on their axes constituted by thescrews 72. By tightening thehandwheel 78, it is possible to overcome thestrength of the spring 79 and to cause the fork 70 to partially re-enterinto the bushing 67. In practice, this fork 70- can position itselfeither in the position of maximum extension with free spring, asrepresented in FIGS. 13a and 13b, or in the position of minimumextension with compressed spring, like that represented in FIGS; 14a and14b, and naturally also through unlimited intermediate positionsobtained by progressively tightening the handwheel 78. This operationcauses the forks '70, to gradually lower into the bushings 67, and withthem the rim 37, resting with its rail 38' upon the bearings Y1 and theentire tent fast with the rim 37 secured to the base frame part 1, togradually lower also. The lowering of the rim 37, however, accompaniesthat of the forks 70 only for a portion of their travel. At a particularpoint during lowering, in fact, the sections 13 or 36, fastened to thebase frame part 1, the height of which is greater than that of the rim37, contact against the tubes 40 resting thereupon and unloading ontothe tubes 40 themselves and from there directly onto the anchoring means41 the entire weight of the tent that was supported on the bearings 71.The bearings 71 become detached from the rail 38 as the lowering of theforks 70 proceed under the tightening of the handwheels 78 and remainspaced away from the rail 38 without taking any load whatsoever. Byfully tightening the handwheels 78, the teeth 74 of the forks 70 engagethe toothing'38'of the rim 37 and securely lock it against rotation. Itis clear that the position depicted with reference to FIGS. 13a and 13bof the assembly corresponds to the condition in which it is possible toorient the tentunloaded of persons or -objectsby causing it to rotatewith little effort due to the sliding engagement between the bearings 71and the rail 38 of the rim 37. On the contrary, the position of theassembly in FIGS. 14a and 14b corresponds to the use and transportationcondition of the tent at the end of the orientation operation; in thiscondition it is possible to load the tent with persons and objectswithout injurious consequences, the load weighing directly upon thesupports of the motor car.

Some further remarks will be helpful to specify the characteristics ofthe mounting described with reference to FIGS. 13a to 1311: It should benoted, for example, that the rail 38 of the rim 37 also serves for themounting of the rim 37 itself inasmuch as it straddles the forks 70,being guided on its outer part by the smaller inner ends 70 of the forks70, and its inner limit part by the corresponding inner sections of thesame forks, whilst the ball bearings 71 are support means for said rail38', during rotation of the rim when, with free spring, it is not lockedby engagement with the toothed portion 74 of the fork lip 73.

It is also to be noted that the force of the spring 79 is predeterminedso as to even slightly exceed the weight of the entire tent with itsstiffening sections and the rim 37, as well as the ladder 23 and theinterior equipment and the like, but without, of course, the weight loadof any persons therein. It is for this reason why the circle 37,together with the base frame part 1 and the sections fastened thereto,can be kept spaced from the tubes 40, constituting an integral part ofthe anchoring 10 means of the tent to the motor car, so as to be free torotate over the ball bearings 71 under the control of the user.

In order to bring the tent from its transportation position, as depictedin FIG. 1, to the use position, as depicted in FIG. 3, a few simpleoperations sufiice to ensure an immediate result. One begins to extendthe ladder 23. withdrawing the telescopic extension-piece 23 to be usedas a lever member, adapted for tipping of the base frame part 2. Byslightly forcing upwardly the pivoted end of the ladder 23 and then bydrawing downwardly towards ones self the end of the ladder 23, the baseframe part 2 is caused to rotate (FIG. 2) on the pivoting axis of boththe base frame parts 1 and 2. of the tent and as it tips over itsimultaneously folds out the canvas 3, supported by the ribs 4. The nextstep in the erection of'the tent is to adjust the ladder in the mannerpreviously described with reference to FIG. 9a. for supporting saidbaseframe part 2 in such manner that it is disposed into planar relationshipwith the base frame part 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate modifications of the arrangement of the tentshown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 illustrates the same tentrotated relative to itsorientation in FIG. 3, and the association with it of an auxiliary tentT erected upon the ground and protected by another outer canvas,indicated at T the use of which is to provide accommodation foradditional campers or to provide space for utility or the like servicesas may be desired from time to time. FIG. 6 represents the tent in thesame position as depicted in FIG. 5, but with the addition thereto ofsome separate curtain members for creating a shaded area. The samemembers, it connected to each other by disposing them verticallyunderneath the base frame part 2, would form another enclosure forauxiliary use, such as, for example, a dressing room.

On the other handIFIG. 4 represents a tent arrangement for use when onestops to camp in a particular place for some days, and it is desired toenjoy enhanced comfort, especially when it is desired to avail of themotor car for making short journeys While the tent remains erected at afixed location. To this end, the tent is fully released from the motorcar by unscrewing the handwheels 57 thus releasing the entire assemblyof the connecting members of the tent to the motor car roof. The tentthus released is then erected on the ground so as to rest upon thefolding supports 29 fitted and adjusted as described with reference toFIG. 15a. In this position the tent is considerably spaced upwardly awayfrom the ground with all the attendant advantages of this arrangement.FIG. 4 shows the tent associated with another tent P of conventionaltype having at least two entrances so as to form one combined unitconsisting of tWo compartments, the former being used for sleeping only,whilst the latter serves as living room, dressing room or for the likepurposes. From FIG. 4 it will be seen that the autotransportable tent isfed forward, even if by very little, into a door of the conventionaltent, whilst the canvas member P which normally forms a closure for saiddoor, is left lying upon the roof of the auto-transportable tent withmarked advantages to the user. The other entry of the tent P has itsclosure canvas member P supported in raised position to constitute acovered veranda.

The outstanding advantages afforded by the tent according to the presentinvention will be apparent. It permits of automobile transportation byimmediate and expeditious utilization of the motor car roof, therebyeliminating any personal fatigue and all the other well knowninconveniences incidental to the conventional type tents, thusconstituting a tent which is particularly adapted for quick campingwhile touring by motor car. This does not exclude, however, thealternative of using the tent for an extended camping in one location byreleasing it from the motor car to be then installed on the ground bymeans of the folding supports 29 in order to freely utilize the car forany other desired use.

A particular advantage is provided by the facility for rotating the tentrelative to the motor car carrying it. This facility permits, in fact,orientation of the tent opening in the preferred direction to enjoysunshine or to get a protection from sun rays, to look at a landscape,or not to be disturbed by neighbours and so on. Moreover, it alsopermits adjustment of the tent position in accordance with the contourof the ground on which the motor car has been parked. The parking groundmay not always be even and level over its area, and at times a slightrotation of the tent would make its support through the ladder 23 safer.The same advantage is afforded if the space for parking and erecting thetent is limited.

The means used for the erection and utilization of the tent according tothe present invention ensure the maximum anchoring safety to the motorcar roof and the tent durability. Further, the anti-theft device alsoprovides the user with a perfect safety against possible theft of thetent during short periods of time in which the motor car with the tentmounted thereon is left unattended. The tent according to the presentinvention is adapted for mounting on any motor car whatsoever, it beingcapable of being carried by small-sized cars, transference from which tocars having larger dimensions being effected by simple adjustmentspermitting application of the tent to the different motor car models byadjusting the position of the supports 44 and 44 and uprights 46, aswell as by the tilting of the support plates 48 in order to adapt thetent to the different widths, swells and tiltings of the gutters of thedifferent makes of cars. It will be understood that other practicalembodiments of the tent according to the present invention could bedevised which come within the scope of the present invention. It will infact, be evident that several changes and modifications could beintroduced in the construction and mounting arrangements of theabove-described tent with reference to the figures shown in theaccompanying drawings and as defined in the appended claims, Withoutdcparting from the scope of the inventive concept.

I claim:

1. A folding tent constructed and arranged for removable mounting on theroof of a motor vehicle, said folding tent comprising, in combination, apair of substantially rectangular rigid floor sections; carrier means,including releasable anchoring means, adapted to removably secure onesaid floor section to the roof of a motor vehicle; an annular turntableattached to the undersiderof said floor section arranged to be securedto the roof of a motor vehicle; said carrier means including supportelements engaging said turntable and providing for relative rotationthereof; said turntable formed with a ring gear; said support elementsengaging said turntable comprising bushings fixed to said anchoringmeans, fork members slidably mounted in the respective bushings andextending upwardly therefrom, and roller bearing means mounted in saidfork members and engageable with said turntable; one arm of each forkmember having a portion overlying the turntable and formed with teethengageable with said teeth of said ring gear; spring means biasing saidfork members upwardly to support said turntable on said roller bearingmeans; said carrier means limiting downward movement of said turntable;said locking devices including means operable to retract said forkmembers downwardly against the bias of said spring means to engage saidteeth of said fork members with said teeth of said ring gear; thedownward movement of said turntable being limited by said carrier means,whereby said roller bearing means are retracted from said turntable andthe teeth on said fork members are engaged with the upwardly facingteeth of said ring gear.

2. A folding tent, as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least twodemountable members are arranged to be secured to the side gutters of amotor vehicle roof; substantially theft-proof fastening means forsecuring said demountable members to the gutters; and a pair of secondmembers extending transversely to said demountable members andadjustably attachable thereto; said support elements and locking devicesfor said turntable being carried by said second members.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 522,334 7/1894 Lurgard et al.8532 791,548 6/1905 Fisher 339272 1,033,685 7/1912 Eskew 182-2052,179,045 11/1939 Lewis 8545 3,202,159 8/1965 Reed 135- 1 FOREIGNPATENTS 376,008 4/ 1964 Switzerland. 989,081 4/ 1965 Great Britain.

REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examiner.

